Kinky Boots Details

Cyndi Lauper has had a prolific career, and is certainly best known for her hit ’80s songs “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” and “Time After Time.” The latest chapter in her songwriting came last decade, when she wrote the music and lyrics for Kinky Boots, a stage musical adapted from the 2005 British film of the same name. With a book by the legendary Harvey Fierstein, Kinky Boots takes on the spirit of its co-creators’ previous works: free-spirited and fun. Kinky Boots tells the story of Charlie Price, a blue-collar shoemaker in the English town of Northampton. When his father passes away, Charlie is left searching for ideas to help drum up business, and one is brought to him from a drag queen named Lola: Making boots for cross-dressers. Comedy—and a set of valuable life lessons—ensues.

Kinky Boots opened on Broadway at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre on April 4, 2013 to strong ticket sales and even stronger reviews. Ben Brantley selected the show as NYT Critics’ Pick in his review for the Times. “[Lauper] has created a love- and heat-seeking score that performs like a pop star on Ecstasy,” Brantley wrote. “Try to resist if you must.” Kinky Boots was the darling of the Tony Awards that June, winning a season-best six awards, including Best Musical. Brendon Urie, lead singer of rock band Panic! at the Disco, has been a revelation as the production’s Charlie, and J. Harrison Ghee steals the show as Lola. In February 2018, the show will begin a run at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in the Los Angeles suburb of Costa Mesa.